This is an open letter to Mr. Wade Phillips

So Mr. Jones gave you your walking papers eh? Can’t say I blame him in-light-of-every-catastrophic-failure that has occurred this season.

In all honesty, he had to do something despite this season’s disastrous 1-7 start didn’t he? I mean last season the Cowboys made an exceptional post season appearance and whipped up on the hated Philadelphia Eagles and while doing so put to rest a couple of dreadful streaks:

1). the last time the Cowboys won a play-off game, those silly Rangers were all the rage

2). you sir had never won a play-off game as a head coach

But even though the Cowboys lost, nay were smacked down by the Minnesota Vikings, who were led by TIO (The Immortal One) Brett Favre, we still were energized

Unbridaled hope rose from the ashes.

Hope for next season

Hope for a hungry fan base

Hope for things that would be

Then this season happened.

Mr. Jones stood pat, making very few off-season changes. “Why mess with the good thing that I have assembled”  must have been his thinking?

I, like many others, agreed. We entered into the season as odds on favorites to play in the first ever home hosted Super bowl in the magnificent world Jerry envisioned and built. What could go wrong? The NL East is down, and parody throughout the NFL is rampant.

But in the interim,

the team became too full of themselves. There was no passion. No hunger. It was apparent that winning a play-off game last season was enough.

THIS is not a fault of Mr. Jones.

THIS is a fault of Mr. Phillips.

We can blame Mr. Jones without doubt for a few certain things. But this is not one of them.

I am sure that if Mr. Phillips grovels enough; shows he can still roll over, beg, and play fetch – can land again somewhere in the good ole boy NFL coaching network club somewhere on defense. For that I am not worried.

What I am now worried about is that for this season, he hands over the reins to Jason Garrett, who many in the business wanted to be head coach of the Cowboys some 4-3 years ago (though we shall discuss this, for now that talk is on hiatus: We’ll talk about that after the season ends).

But for now, we say sayonara Wade and good riddance. You lingered for at least three weeks too by my accounts. But I guess Jerry added a new formula to his spreadsheet and determined:

• the time was right
• ticket sales were salvageable
• the franchise was suffering

Nothing personal. It never is with Jerry.  That’s the problem.

I do wish you well on your endeavors, and look forward in years to come to follow your defensive success.

For now though, I ponder: how in the world did you lose this team?

I speculate such: Jerry led you on a leash and all was good in Valley Ranch. He toiled in the off-season to land Dez Bryant and deemed it worthy. You said “yes Jerry, all is good”.

For that sir you are fire worthy. You should have raised the red flag and said something.

You missed the mark and personally ill prepared the Cowboys for the 2010-2011 season.

period.

For that, there is no forgiveness. None.

Today the Rangers can lock up the West Title with a win and an Oakland loss.

It’s about time!

So break out the champagne as we celebrate!

Regardless though if not today or tomorrow or the next if and when they clench, the Rangers will lock up the Division, so please prepare to bust out the confetti and toasts!

Let the boy’s party and Michael Young gloat in the limelight  as the team celebrates the first Texas Division Title Win in North Dallas.

KUDOS!

But know that the front office will not be indulging in the drinks, and shall be remaining vigilant and preparing for the post season. They may lite a celebratory cigar and toast one another, but the work continues.

It is still too early to tell whether the Rangers will face the Yankees or Rays in the first round of the post season, but rest assured they will face one or the other as Minnesota will clench the #2 spot and be ready to host the latter of the two.

As it seems now, the winner of the above will first host and then travel to the land of 10,000 lakes and we hope suffer defeat at the hands of the Twins. That could only prolong a be bad matchup for the Rangers should either advance.

Why?

I think the Twins will small-ball their opponent to death and will be victorious. I think they can and will do this against anyone.

Agree or not, please reply.

Note though that the Rangers match well against both organizations (Yankees & Rays), and will matchup well against either organization each and every game and bring home to Dallas a birth to the AL Championship regardless of opponent.

GO RANGERS!

Donovan McNabb has a new lease on life with the Washington Redskins after Andy Reid and the Eagles dealt him away ‘within the division’.  Does that move make sense? Only time will tell, but currently it seems to be just what Donovan needed: a clean break from the Eagles and he now plays for a coach that loves quarterbacks for what they are, not what he wants to make them.

The decision though has proven to be a blunder on the Eagles part in terms of what can now be classified in epic proportions.

Note that McNabb does not have the talent surrounding him as he did in Philadelphia the last year plus (but he never could rely upon anyone other than Westbrook anyway). But in our nation’s capital he has less expectations on him as a player where the division is now up for grabs.

Consider the other teams:

The Cowboys look like the dysfunctional team Jerry Jones has always fielded since the over-night departure of Jimmy Johnson. Talent yes, but execution no.

The New York Giants still miss Plaxico Burress and the defense seems uninspired. Witness the dismantling by the Colts, which  exposed significant weaknesses in the defense last week.

The Eagles are in the midst of the worst quarterback controversy since Jeff Garcia replaced Steve Young who replaced Joe Montana. This could tear the team apart and divide the locker-room as the controversy looms like a malignant tumor.

So what does that leave?

It leaves a division ready for the taking; all teams in the East right now have too many flaws in front of them to advance to the Division Title.

The team that takes care of their own first wins. It’s as simple as that.

With that in mind, you must look at past success, as it applies.

Look at the recent past. That leaves the now perceived senile Andy Reid (with the best record), and Donovan McNabb 2.0 (with the most success in his former organization).   In this case I will take the player (if you disagree, post!).

The question boils down to this: does McNabb excel with the new organization under Mike Shanahan and prove Andy Reid was a schmuck? Or does his legacy diminish as he was dealt away at an age where skills can decline and one may become long in the tooth and prove Andy Reid is deft at evaluating talent after-all?

I think the Redskins, as currently are incarnated, are capable of marching towards post season success, following in the big steps of Joe Theisman, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien, and are currently poised to make the best of the situation.

I can’t say destiny is on their side (though it ought to be considered) due to the dysfunction of owner Dan Snyder, but the reality is that the Redskins are now legitimate contenders in the watered down East. That dear readers is a position where only McNabb can perch and claim experience: winning.

This is new territory for the ‘Skins and I see no reason that Donovan cannot steer them forward.

Let me preface that statement by declaring in no way do I guarantee them a berth in the Super bowl as the route goes through New Orleans via Wisconsin, but I am saying the Redskins can win the East.

And that is reason enough to be to Hail the Washington Redskins.

Please chime in: Is Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles bona fide insane or does he just hate Donovan McNabb?

The question would be easily answered if you were to candidly ask either him or McNabb, but both have and will continue to artfully dodge such hot topic questions: they have moved on, but for the record I would like a straight answer. It is left for us on the outside to determine.

I thought Andy, who I do admire from afar due to the ultimate success he has governed the franchise to in the preceding decade, just really Really REALLY wanted a drop back gun slinger to set up behind center all these years. I mean think:  the Eagles drafted Donovan knowing his skill set ~ he was a big strapping QB that could throw deep with a tight spiral and at the same time read a well defended wide out package and tuck and run to scramble for a first down. He had deft moves and separation between the line and linebackers. Often times it was up to the secondary to make a play and stop him.

But Andy didn’t want a Steve Young or Randall Cunningham prototype guiding the offense.  Each season that Donovan was there Andy placed more and more restrictions on him in his scrambling ability; it was better to check the second and third receivers and throw out of bounds than take off running.  He wanted Dan Marino or Warren Moon and come hell or high water he was going to keep McNabb in the pocket and he better adjust or…else.

To Donovan’s detriment he sacrificed this explosive capability of his game and learned to mastered the Andy Reid vision and system for play.  Hey, he led them to numerous NFC Championship games and a bid in the Super bowl.

But this week Reid benched McNabb’s heir apparent Kevin Kolb in favor of Michael Vick, who while is not as strong numerically as a pocket passer as one would like, perhaps best displays scrambling potential than anyone else to take snaps in the modern era of the NFL. In reality, he is the anti-Reid thesis of the past decade.

Reid felt McNabb was expendable. So much so they dispatched him this off-season to the long suffering division rival Washington Redskins in favor of the unproven yet highly touted Kolb. “Ok” I thought, Reid FINALLY gets his drop back passer. The organization has moved on from the erstwhile versatile failsafe and highly productive Brian Westbrook and in the course of the last two seasons infused an exceptional receiving corps, consisting of DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek: talent that should ease the grooming and growth of an inexperienced quarterback such as Kolb.

Yet the move makes no damn sense.

None

It is a step back to 2002 as far as I can see. And I have to ask why?

I think Vick is explosive and can in fact run an NFL offense; he illustrated this capability in the second half of week one against the Super bowl favored Green Bay Packers and again in week two against the Norse division door step Detroit Lions. But the moves the Eagles have made in the last 28 months in no way justify the elevation of Vick to #1 QB. It defies logic.

In Reid’s defense, he was known to bench McNabb after a string of unproductive performances or injury, but he always stuck with him in the early years while healthy. Again in his defense, they shut down Westbrook after he sustained a concussion. But we all know by now that Kolb practiced Friday and is listed as probable. Westbrook didn’t even put on pads.  So that reasoning is out the door.

So let me ask the Philly faithful again: Is Reid a McNabb hater or does he have bats in the belfry?

I just hope this goes round and round at least through December 12 when the Cowboys host. Maybe by then the Cowboys will have righted their own ship and play a sound, fundamental game against the successful yet 2010 troubled Eagles.

Watch Out NFL, The Bears are Too Legit 2 Quit.

While I am a Cowboy fan down to the marrow in my bones, I need to state for the record (and admit my perverse excitement at watching the Cowboys lose in this instance) my perceptions about the Chicago Bears. While most of us in Texas are lamenting the lackluster performance of the on-field Cowboys, I think some love should be given to Chicago.

It should be noted that the Bears took the punishment dished out in the first 20 minutes of the game and rebounded by playing some really good football. Cutler bounced back after all the sacks, hurries and pressures the Cowboys presented to lead the team down field against the one strength the Cowboys are putting on the field this year: Ware, Spencer and the defense are playing 60 minutes.

That said, I want to talk about what I saw in that game and reference what happened in St Louis where I lived 12 years ago.

Living in St Louis during pre and post Dick Vermeil eras of Ram football, I saw the Good, Bad and Ugly. Prior to that a decade and a half earlier I also saw the Cardinals slink away in the dark of the night to sunny Arizona which (only those of us who lived through it would apprecaite) was insufferable. Imagine the impact on a young kid.

Things were pretty bad all around for St Louis football back then. The Rams though moved a losing team into the city and sold PSLs, but it seemed more of the same was in store.

Until Dick arrived.

Once they hired Dick Vermeil and he assembled his staff of Lovie Smith and “Mad Genius” Mike Marks, the Rams literally over night became “The Greatest Show On Turf”. With the latter two now in Chicago, it seems this franchise is primed to attempt the same level of greatness. But the path to greatness for the Rams was fraught with unknown and uncertainties at first.  Let me attempt to remind the Bears fans some of the growing pains and baby steps that took place in St Louis.

As complex as the offense is, it literary evolved week-to-week, season-to-season. The same can be said about all aspects of the team:

Early on both Trent Green and Kurt Warner were so exposed and hammered off the snap those first games that no one believed. No one could even conceive of what was to come. Recall how Green was injured and in stepped the complete unknown Warner.

The defense was asked to swarm to the ball. No fan believed and no one could even conceive how that would pay dividends.

It was preached that coverage on special teams should be ESPN highlight worthy. That seemed a joke at first.

So let me say that what I saw in the play of Urlacker and Cutler against the Cowboys convinces me the Bears believe what Lovie and Marks are teaching/preaching/expecting from the players, this time though in the Windy City.  Marks tailored the Rams offense around the talent he had readily available. Lovie wasn’t that particular, and would rather see 5 people involved on a tackle or sack as opposed to a marqee player padding stats (recall the shipping of LB Kevin Carter who in 1998 recorded a 17 sack season with the Rams).

Those fair weather fans in the Windy City should jump aboard the band wagon early. And paint their faces now. And start saving for play-off tickets.

Look out Norse Division, NFC and NFL.  The Bears are messing up our picnic tables and eating our honey. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Brett Favre is feeling the results of not having Rice/Driver to toss to and also seems to suffer from skipping training and lingering injuries.

Do you think he is washed up otherwise?

The man is OLD

The Cowboys will be 0-3 after they go to Houston in week three and get skull thumped by the very good Houston Texans. It looks like this week’s answer to all the current woes of a shake-up for field goal kicking didn’t have the impact Jerry thought it would.

So what is next? Change the blue Gatorade to red? Discount the parking fee at the Death Star by 33%?

All kidding aside, I can get specific on all the areas where I see problems, but I don’t want to get caught up on the granular. Everything that is wrong with the Cowboys seems to easily fall into a few generalized categories and those have been in place for years, albeit some of them in revolving incarnations:

1.    When a team continues to make multiple dumb penalties, the organization has to realize there is a lack of discipline and focus.

2.    When a team throws the ball 70% of the time, even though the game situation does not call for it and you have three capable running backs, the organization has to realize there is a lack of strategic planning on offense.

3.    When the assistant head coach calls a bone head play that isn’t even attempted at a Pop Warner level, and the head coach just nods in agreement, the organization has to realize there is a lack of command and control.

There it is folks, black and white. but what does it mean?  Let me list the obvious

It’s why Jimmy Johnson left overnight in the midst of an era of excellence.

It’s also why Bill Parcells was dispatched with a pat on the back and well wishes after assembling most of the talent that is taking snaps on the field today.

It’s why Wade Phillips, whom by his record has proved to be a very good defensive coordinator yet fails in the head coaching role, is the current puppet within the operational chain of command.

It’s why Jason Garret who on the other hand, seems to remind us of the distant relative hired by company insiders and is untouchable and unquestionable in his play-calling. You just work around him and the rest of the organization suffers yet struggles on.  He calls a brilliant play where all three backs are on the field in week one to totally stymie the defense, yet we may never see that again and at the same time he will call a 3 yard dump pass to Austin on third and long knowing the defense is prepared for just that.

What does this add up to? Let me tell you. The problem starts with Mr. Jones. As much as I admire and respect him, he seems to have the one personality trait that makes it difficult for those who report directly to him carry on the best interests of the team. They all know they can be second guessed.

He is brilliant if not visionary in building the brand: I took the tour of the new stadium and was awe struck in its many cutting edge implementations of architecture and the grandeur of the marriage of mechanical and structural engineering, suffering goose bumps several times. When I took the field and played kick, pass and run with my nephew it felt as if we were both 12 years old.

But where he fails as C”X”O is removing himself from the daily operations of the team:

He has shown he can deftly hire, empower those he employs (but tragically that level of responsibility is only temporary), yet then refuses to remove his finger and level of influence over those hires when it comes to season, game and game-in-play tactical relationships and decision-making (I am not sure of the latter – these are all assumptions. Hell I am not certain of any of these, but most come from astute observation).

Mr. Jones must know it is both a strength and weakness of his overall make-up; impacting the product on the field which drives the sales of merchandise off the field. But when will he realize to divorce the marketing of the Cowboys from the operational? This is my plea to realize this now.

My advice? Fire those with head or assistant in their title and make amends with Jimmy and bury the hatchet.  He may refuse and laugh in your face, even make an obscene gesture or two.

But that act will send a message to all the other potential coaching candidates. Everyone who aspires to be part of the coaching staff  for the Cowboys will react with something along “damn!  Jerry you have changed and are committed to building a framework for winning. Where Do I go to stand in line?” It will attract the best talent that is available. You can work your genius in hiring those and we will as Cowboy fans rejoice.

What can it hurt?

It may hurt this season, but it may not. Know that its very probable right now that a 9-7 record in the NFC East will win the division if you glance over the issues facing each team.

If such a restructuring worked this season it would also insure post-season discussion. That’s good marketing and what you spin best.

Make the change now.

Fire everyone and pat them on the back as you well know how to do. Allow us fans to relish in your wisdom and implementation.

We know you love the Cowboys. Let us love and cheer on the Cowboys again in turn and love you.

Within a week from now, the Texas Rangers will lock up the AL Western Division title and advance to the MLB play-offs. Or conversely it may take a few days longer as they prepare for post season by adjusting the lineup and playing the fringe bench players to have a final look-see and determine who merits being on the roster for the first round matchup. Either way let me repeat.

The RANGERS have plans to play in October!

So my question becomes this: Why can’t this town get behind them and get all fanatic about this accomplishment? Is this truly a Cowboys only town?  Statistically, there is no reason for a geographical area of this size to only show the love/hate of a single entity (Cowboys), but we do: Let me put it on record that the DFW-North Metroplex area is large enough to support all franchises, but in the nine years I have lived here I deep down believe local folks only care about the Cowboys.

That Should End Here.  And End Now.

Band wagon jumpers are welcome. If you are so inclined, please jump away.  Here are the highlights of this season for those newbies.  So grab a horn, wave a banner, and start painting your face Ranger Red and Blue for the play-off trail is just ahead.

May 2010: Early this season I was critical of Ron Washington, and to a strong degree felt it was warranted.  Let me stress ‘felt’.  Ron had a fairly significant issue that was, looking back, handled by Nolan Ryan, Jon Daniels and the entire organization in a Case Study example of excellent capacity.  They marched out Ron at a press conference, acknowledged his issue and at the same time circled the wagons, protecting their own. It proved to be a very uber-human thing to do and paid dividends. The team moved on.  We did too and look where we are now.

The Rangers played through an ample amount of injuries yet did not fold. Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton and Rich Hardin to name a few were sidelined for significant amounts of time while the team trudged on.

Early they struggled with the closer role. That was resolved and put to rest with this year’s “should be Rookie of the Year” Neftali Feliz.

The ‘too salted to be labeled rookie yet not in service long enough to avoid the tag “wet behind the ears”’ pitchers have prospered in the organization and quite frankly excelled. Wilson, Lewis and Hunter have weathered the heat, be it in Texas only or the route between here and Frisco/the Brick Yard. This bunch have proved capable of starting (or pitching long relief – which is a critical component of any team that succeeds in the post season). In fact, I would venture to say this is the ultimate strength of the team. Add to that the disappointment of Ace from last year Scott Feldman (who seems to be comfortable in the role of long-relief); to the role of bullpen and the acquisition of potential Cy Young General Lee (he’s baaaaack and seems healthy. Just consider what he did last season alone in the post season; a win in every series and the pitcher of winning record in the only games the Phillies won) and you have the’ cornerstone’ of a pennant winning franchise. I imagine Bobby Cox and Rockin’ Leo Mazzone of the 90s Braves can only salivate at our stable of studs.

The outfield is a solid cast of Murphy, Borbon, and Cruz. Add to that mix the bat alone of currently injured potential MVP Josh Hamilton and you give the line-up an interesting quandary but nice options:

• if Josh is gimpy only, they have options at DH.
• if he is fully recovered, there are options at both DH and in the outfield
• Don’t forget Vlad

Borbon’s criticism defensively has been a weak arm, but strong hosses in right and left field can and have masked that. The Rangers do that very well. His lead-off potential is still a weakness, and I do lament the loss of Marlon Byrd, but so it goes.

The infield is solid and capable. The team may not turn as many double plays as one would like, but that is a Bill James stat that can be negated with sound, fundamental play at the infield positions. The Rangers do that and do that well. It seems the occasional offensive snafu or base running blunder by Elvis is off-set by a great play on the field. And then there is Michal Young, well he is the Rangers’ all-time hits leader. Bat him 1^st, 2^nd, or wherever, he will at least take the pitches to wear on the starter if he is putting up an 0-fer.  That’s team focused.

The nearly all season long question mark at catcher seems to be resolved and quieted with the platoon of Molina & Teagarden. Both seem to fit well in the club house.

The team is clicking on all cylinders people. The question then becomes how do they match up against the other AL post season participants?

NY Yankees – potential winners of the AL East: they swept them last time in New York.  We match up as well 1-8 and in terms of rotation against the Evil Empire. I really hope we play them early and avenge Johnny Oates loses earlier in the franchise history.  Still you play the post season game-by-game and one series at a time, regardless of match-up.

Tampa Rays – potential winners of the AL East: if they don’t win they lock down the wildcard. This is a very challenging pairing. If MLB were smart, they would market the hell out of this match-up as the new era of baseball. ESPN could have a whole 30 minute post game highlights reel. At any rate, young studs and excellent starting pitching will dominate.  If the Yankees win the division then the Rays take to the road. I like our Rangers hosting at home in the hot Texas weather.  I would favor the Rays in bovine-ofal covered Tropicana Field. Either way this would be the most nail biting series as it could easily go 5 or 7 games and be a battle of attrition and a test of wills.

Minnesota Twins: this is the scary match-up folks. We dominated them at home. They dominated us in their new ball park. They always do well under Ron Gardenhire And it is worth-while to note they have the best record in the AL since the All-Star game. I really hope we can avoid them.

So support your Rangers people! It isn’t only a Cowboy town! And it doesn’t get any better than October baseball.

Is Brett Favre done?

is he too old to lead the team down the field?

Looking shaky in the pocket?

If you watched the NFL season opener where the Saints hosted the Vikings and listened to the talking heads at the end of the game where the Saints won 14-9 as I did, you have to think Favre is long in the tooth and done; the question becomes should he have retired and Minnesota moved on.

Do you buy into this hype?

I think he is the best bet for the Vikings and will deliver going forward. Or he could just up and retire. This may be unchartered water.

Last night the Rangers tried to stop the bleeding that has gushed forth lately in Camden Yards against the Orioles by sending out Ace Cliff Lee to follow up a mercurial performance by  C.J. Wilson. The previous night Lewis performed at a personal best level in terms of strikeouts and completely shut down the Oriole’s bats and did his part to put an end to recent woes in Baltimore.

After dishing out a 30-3 epic shellacking still in recent memory at Baltimore, the Rangers have become endemic of late when in town, and cannot seem to put together what it takes to get consecutive wins and close out a series.

Enter General Lee to put the hammer down.

Like the Civil War general, Lee, who showed his brilliant mastery and superior strategic skills only to be suffered a lack of man-power and resources, our Lee cannot be pinned to his outings results alone. These are after all team efforts: the bats have been anemic and the defense lacking.

Lee is suffering from lack of a win in the box score,  but not necessarily through any fault of his own. On Friday night he was once again following his game plan in the way he worked the outside of the strike zone, except this time Baltimore was waiting, and pounced. It was his first true failure alone wearing Texas Blue and Red: can’t blame the offense or defense.

Lee, as he has done for various reasons to date since he was traded here from Seattle, lost against his opponent and this time gave up long balls to Wiggington and Scott, insuring the loss. It was a big disappointment for those of us who watched. We were left once again to envision a late season collapse in the making, and Lee’s performance and the lack of Ranger offense and rash of recent injuries sharpened that perception.

But the Rangers needed to write off that loss and get on with the season. Play the next game and rely upon short term memory so a win could be acheivable.

A team must do that, especially this time of year where the club enjoys such a late season lead over the Angles and Athletics. Look at the clubs that rally to advance to the post season. They do it.

And tonight the Rangers did.

Enter Tommy “Big Game” Hunter, who was recalled from the Brick Yard. He stepped in where he left off before being placed on the DL and commanded the game: 8 IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER. All he did was sandwich in the otherwise lack luster performance of Lee and helped the Rangers salvage a 2-2 split in Baltimore. Am excellent way to leave the road and head home.

The concerns of previous seasons for the Rangers though have been the starting pitching down the stretch. Young arms get tired and the team suffers. Over the last six weeks of the season many games are lost due to a failure of the starters to give a quality start. The Rangers go through a swoon that just kills the fan base and introduces question marks for the off season Hot Stove conversations.

But this year is different. Quite different. The pitching has matured to such a level that opening day starter Scott Feldman finds himself as long relief in the bull pen. How is that for maturity?

Wilson, Lewis and Hunter have emerged as take control guys. Even though Wilson has not won a game in several starts, he still keeps the team in a position to win. That luck is bound to change.  Let leaves Harden and Lee.

Harden was a gamble in the off season, arriving here in large part due to his yet fulfilled potential that was based upon his ability to paint. So far that experiment has failed, but he is close to (once again) being healthy. The organization seems fit to keep sending him out every five days to see if he fulfills his expectation.

Feldman, who has at times shown his off sped brilliance and pitch to contact philosophy that rewarded him with a long term contract in the off season, struggled and seems comfortable relegated to long relief.

That Leaves Lee and the question begged to be asked and answered: should he be signed long term, considering his success since he arrived? I say YES for these reasons:

Lee is a stud, and if you compare his numbers over the last 4 years to the league, the only one who might shine brighter is Roy Halliday, which is the reason he was signed and Lee was traded.

Lee is a gamer, and he lays it on the line every game. His approach to the plate is solid, and he does seem after a handful of games to treat each like the other. He has not slacked.

He is a veteran, and with the young guns in the system he can be relied upon each and every game STILL to give the club 8 innings and.  The upstarts cannot always be relied upon to do so.